ADSTools Editor's Review

ADSTools enables you to search for Alternate Data Streams on NTFS filesystems. Alternate Data Streams can be accessed the same way a file's data is and they can be as large as a file. The difference between ADS and normal files is that ADS can only be accessed with specialized software and are ignored by most programs (Windows Explorer, the DIR command, etc.).

The user interface is very simple and not very nice looking. I guess this is one of those programs that works well, but doesn't provide a nicely designed user interface. Although the program didn't lose my data or anything like that, I have to say that the publisher clearly states that their application is "potentially dangerous". They also say that they cannot be held responsible in case the program affects the data on your hard drive.

ADS are not well documented and are unknown to many PC users. This is why I wouldn't put any sensitive data into them. However, I used this program for hiding information, and nobody noticed. I used ADSTools to hide a couple of text files.

Pluses:

Drawbacks / flaws: In my opinion, ADSTools needs a bit of improvement and maybe a simple wizard for creating an ADS (alternate data stream).

In conclusion: This software provides you access to a rather unknown technology, so it's a good way of impressing your friends.

version reviewed: 2.2.5